Single Girl Recipe: Noodles!

There’s no doubt about it, noodles and other forms of pasta are definitely a few of my favorite things! When I’m really trying to eat healthy, ridding my apartment of grains is one of the first things I do.

And yes, I know, everything in moderation. But the truth is, when it comes to pasta, I really just want to eat the WHOLE box.

Over the last few years, I’ve found ways to treat myself to some of my favorite things, all without completely ruining my healthy streak. One of those recipes is below — a healthier twist on takeout — and there’s plenty of ways you can switch it up to fit your takeout “replacement.”

INGREDIENTS

1 1-pound piece boneless, skinless salmon

1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce

3/4 pound of lo mein noodles*

3 tablespoons oil (I used olive oil, coconut works too)

2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice

Kosher salt + black pepper

1 pound of baby bok choy, sliced

2 scallions, sliced

1 red chili (like Fresno), chopped

1/4 cup of fresh mint, torn or sliced

*While lo mein noodles — along with the fact that you’re making this entire thing at home — make this takeout twist a healthier option, feel free to replace the noodles with another kind of your choice. Seaweed noodles are incredibly healthy (and tasty); use a Veggetti to make squash noodles; or go for Soba (buckwheat) noodles, which are high in fiber and offer 6-8 grams of protein per serving.

DIRECTIONS

Heat the over to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Combine the salmon and 1/4 cup of the teriyaki sauce in a bowl. Toss to coat. Let marinate for 20 minutes. Transfer the salmon to the prepared baking sheet. Discard the extra marinade. Roast until opaque throughout, about 12-14 minutes. Flake into large pieces.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Whisk together the oil, lime juice, the remaining 3 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the bok choy, scallions, chili, and mint, and toss to combine. Serve the noodles topped with the salmon, slaw, and any remaining dressing.

As I mentioned before, you can change this up several different ways in order to fit your “takeout” needs — add shelled edamame for extra protein, switch the salmon for shrimp, chicken, or beef; sprinkle on some chopped peanuts for a little crunch; or dunk the whole dish in some broth for a cozy soup! If you’re really feeling fun, serve it up in a takeout box with some chopsticks — then you’ll really feel like you’re cheating on the diet, and you’re NOT! #Winning

And just because: remember this Dane Cook sketch on “The Nothing Fight”? He mentions the “Oodles of Noodles” (7:49 mark) and just about every time I eat noodles, I think about it, so now you can, too! Enjoy, y’all — tomorrow’s Friday!

The Squeeze

The Bitter Lemon is home to lifestyle writer, editor, and author, Holly A. Phillips. She's an obsessive dreamer, TV-addict, and a relentless blogger, who's recently taken up casual calligraphy. She currently lives in Austin, Texas with her cat, Blanche Devereaux.